Eugene Louis Bell

Eugene Louis Bell, 93, of Blountville passed away unexpectedly at home Monday, July 27th 2026.

Born in Hawkins County, TN on May 25th, 1933, Gene grew up in the Sneedville area until turning 18; life took him to Baltimore and Kingsport for a few years. In Kingsport, he worked as a service station manager before moving to Baltimore to work as a prison guard at the Maryland state asylum. While visiting home in Sneedville one day, he met his soon to be wife of 64 years, Geraldine "Tootsie Hatfield" Bell while she was at a diner and later stopped to talk to her as he passed her in his car walking home. They soon married, and she joined him in Maryland for the next four years.

While in Baltimore, he enrolled in barber school to start his 60+ year career in barbering that led him back to settle in Kingsport, to work first at a shop in Parkway Plaza on Lynn Garden Drive and then to open his own barbershop next to Fairway Ford and Andrew Jackson Elementary, where he was working full time until his death.

An almost 50-year member of Deck Valley Baptist Church in Bristol, he served as Deacon for decades including helping lead the church as Head Deacon through times of transition. Gene was a lifelong Christian who was saved in church as a teenager and spent most of his life sharing the word of God through his interactions with customers, family, and friends.

Gene had no plans to retire and held down a 40 hour a week job until his death as a barber. He was a man who didn't let others do work for him and who wanted to remain surrounded by others through work, church, and family as long as possible. A survivor of multiple forms of cancer, car crashes, and broken bones over his lifetime, he always bounced back and became known as "Steel Bell" by family and friends. He dearly loved his daughter and grandchildren, but barbering and church were his other favorites in life.

Gene was proceeded in death by his Father and Mother, Roy and Etta (Lawson) Bell. His Father passed away when Gene was only 7. Additionally, Brothers Hoover, Joe, and Fayne Bell; as well as infant brother Conley and Sisters Alice Gibson and Mary Ann Brooks. His Wife of 64 years, Geraldine Bell passed away just 9 months prior on October 7th, 2025.

Gene is survived by his Daughter Lisa (Tony) Roller of Blountville, and Grandchildren Blake (Alissa) Roller of Chapel Hill, NC as well as Whitney Roller of Blountville.

He is also survived by brothers Ralph (Trula) Bell of Kingsport and Roy (Judy) Bell of Bluff City, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will occur at Gunnings Cemetery in Blountville on Sunday August 2nd, at 2:00 PM, officiated by Deck Valley Pastor Travis Bolling, with eulogy by Grandson Blake Roller.

Pallbearers will be Alissa, Blake, Tony, and Whitney Roller, Jeff Sturgill and Dave Walters.

Honorary Pallbearers are Sam Osborne, and Jimmy Bell

Thank you to Trinity Memorial Centers for their care during this time as well as his niece Chloe Bell who gave extra love and support since the passing of Mrs. Bell.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.